Former Rep. Lindy Boggs Dies At 97

Former Louisiana Rep. Lindy Boggs died of natural causes Saturday at her home in Maryland, her daughter, ABC's Cokie Roberts said.

Boggs, a Democrat, served in Congress from 1973 until 1991. In 1997, President Bill Clinton made her U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. She held that position until 2001.

Boggs' House career began after she won a 1973 special election to succeed her husband, Thomas Hale Boggs Sr., after his plane was lost while flying over Alaska. Prior to entering Congress, Boggs ran several of her husband's campaigns and worked to support the Civil Rights Acts of 1965 and 1968.